Forced integration by the Federal Government had a strong biblical precedent—not an exact replica, but a clear pattern. More on that in a moment.
A 1979 school board meeting in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, left everyone mad as hornets. People from every side of the railroad tracks were stirred up—country folks, those from the projects, blue-collar families, country club kids, athletes, honor students, and the middle class. We had all grown accustomed to the way things were, for better or for worse.
The United States Government had had enough. It was time to bear down on stubborn habits. The all-white Tuscaloosa Black Bears and the all-black Druid City Dragons were being tossed into the same mix and were just going to have to figure it out: Central High School.
Much like Joshua and the Israelites before entering the Promised Land:
“For you have not passed this way before.”
And do you know who loved the integration most?
We did—the students.
My 40th class reunion is proof positive that change, yes, even when that change was forced, worked out for the good.
For instance, for the homecoming dance at Central West in 1984, the administrators decided two bands were needed and divided the gym accordingly. I know exactly where I was sitting in the stands during setup. The DJ was to the right, and the rock band was to the left.
But guess what happened when the DJ cranked up “Rockit” by Herbie Hancock?
The bleachers emptied like a tidal wave.
As for the rock band playing covers, as soon as the synthesizer popped off the first few notes of Van Halen’s “Jump,” 100% of us kids bolted to the left side of the gym. Like pickleballs, we went back and forth all night, enjoying the best of both worlds of music.
Not one of us cared about anything other than having a blast.
“An experiment,” a classmate said at our 40th reunion.We, the graduates of Central High, were the result of it.
I’m glad.
I’m also a proud citizen of a much grander experiment—the U.S. of A.—250 years in the making!
And you know what bugs the stew out of me?
Hearing people say, “The United States Government messes up whatever it touches.”
That’s a ridiculous statement.
Just look at the response to the World Cup. It glows with the USA’s tremendous success as a nation—not merely a collection of states or regions, but a united body under one flag.
If our country is so lousy, then why do so many people around the world want to live here?
Give it a break.
You can find as much prejudice in the early Christian community as anywhere. Worshipping Jesus was something they held in common—but hardly anything else.
One batch of believers, ethnic Hebrews, had no problem with Gentiles worshipping Jesus, as long as they did so from the outside. “Jews Only” may not have been written over the sanctuary doorway, but it was absolutely implied.
Greek-speaking Jews (Hellenists) had seats at the table, per se, but only barely. Their seating was separate. Much like a waiter refusing to serve someone based on their ethnicity, these Christians were denied service.
If you think that’s a stretch just to make a point, go read Acts 6.
Prejudice. Disunity. Disharmony.
All existed among Jews and Gentiles.
How would God solve it?
Through a Holy Spirit, dividing-wall-smashing session:
“For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall.”
— Ephesians 2:14
In closing, and on behalf of the Class of 1986 from Central High School (does anyone else’s opinion really matter?), thank You, Jesus, for using the United States Government to bring us together.
And with each passing year, it has only grown sweeter.
“All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:18
